"Reflections" Painting On the Easel

I've been working on this one for two days so far. I've been toying with what to call it because all its parts come from different places. The silver tray was inherited from my Aunt Ruth. The orange is borrowed from Judith St. Ledger-Roty. It's been hanging around the Great Falls School of Art (where Judith and I teach) for ages... and this orange has starred in countless paintings there. I figure that it must be petrified by now but it looks no worse for wear. I think the books are my Dad's. The green glass bottle is mine. I go around "robbing" my own house every Monday before each Tuesday's still life class. It makes an interesting crime scene.

I have been painting like crazy lately. I am really driven at the moment (more than usual) to reach new heights in my painting. And, I'm seeing the progress. Many of my latest paintings: "Sunflowers and Gladioli", "Give Me Liberty", "Lemon Yellow", "Peonies" and my latest portrait delivery are all magical to me. I'm pushing two elements in particular: light and spatiality. And, maybe one more ... boldness with big, generous forms. I'm happy with it.

"Reflections" is definitely a work in progress. It falls a little outside the mold described above due to its complexity. We'll see how it goes.

I've decided (finally) on the pieces that will go to ArtSpace Herndon for the "Still Life Poetry" August Exhibit. I'll be showing "Sunday Morning" (taken from my "On the Bright Side" solo show), "Peppermint Stick and Pencil", "Peonies" and "Sunflowers and Gladioli."

"Reflections" work in progress, oil on linen, 16"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Another Lemon Painting

"Lemon Yellow", one more painting of a lemon, was one of the five still life setups from my Still Life class today. I set this one up in my studio and painted it this afternoon. I will be submitting it on Friday for the Great Falls Studios group show at the Old Brogue that runs the month of August.

For this painting, and recent work done on "Sunflowers and Gladioli" I added Winsor Lemon by Winsor & Newton to my palette. (See post on my "Sunflowers and Gladioli" painting here.) It's nice added to my three cadmium yellows (deep, medium and pale).

There are two more classes in the Summer session, and registration is still going on for my portrait painting weekend workshop held on August 14, 15, and 16. Go to the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts web site, Great Falls School of Art page to download the Summer bulletin and registration form.

On Sunday, Randy and I spent the day in Annapolis. It was hot! So, that left more time for sketching in an air-conditioned space. Some drawings from that trip will be shown as soon as I get a chance to photograph them. While getting ready for our Annapolis jaunt, I also re-discovered many more drawings from my Venice trip last year, including many done from statues and paintings in Venetian museums. My notes weren't overly helpful ... sort of staccato. I guess I was just more interested in looking than writing.

"Lemon Yellow", oil on linen, 8"h x 10"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Ongoing and Upcoming Shows:
"On the Bright Side" solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 through August 31. See web site for preview and open hours.

"Still Life Poetry" group invitational show at ArtSpace Herndon, August 4-30. Reception: August 8, 7-9pm, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA.
MPA Artfest, juried outdoor show, Sunday, October 4, 10am-5pm.

And, my studio at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, open Saturdays, noon-4pm and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm ... plus any time I'm in there working or by appointment. Call 703.403.7435.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Latest Work, New Name

I just finished what used to be (as in the last two weeks) called "Seeing Red" today ... and a not so subtle shift earned it a new name: "Give Me Liberty...". I added the daisy in the bottom left, the one that was willing to die for its freedom, and it stole the show. Hmmm. Patrick Henry, this daisy and I share the same philosophy.

"Give Me Liberty...", oil on Senso linen, 20"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Ongoing and Upcoming Shows:
"On the Bright Side" solo show at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 through August 31. See web site for preview and open hours.

"Still Life Poetry" group invitational show at ArtSpace Herndon, August 4-30. Reception: August 8, 7-9pm, 750 Center Street, Herndon, VA.

McLean Artfest, juried outdoor show, Sunday, October 4, 10am-5pm.

And, my studio at the Artists' Atelier, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, open Saturdays, noon-4pm and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm ... plus any time I'm in there working or by appointment. Call 703.403.7435.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Working Away and Nancy's Pears

The last two days I've been working on my "Seeing Red" and "Sunflowers and Gladioli" paintings -- working on getting them ready (possibly) for the "Still Life Poetry" exhibit at ArtSpace Herndon in August. I also presented my sketch today for one of my portrait commissions. All went well but I want to do a little more work before showing my progress here.

So, no photos of my work today ... but I wanted to show you a photo of Nancy Keane's painting of pears, in progress, from my Still Life class (offered through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts). Nancy's relatively new to oil painting -- this is her second session in my class -- and, this painting looks like she's been painting for years. It's beautiful. For some bizarre reason, she's worried about how to deal with the fabric. Seems to me that if she can paint the pears and Chinese red basket, and metallic silver surface, she can handle the fabric. Bet I'm right. By the way, I take pride in setting up this beautiful "scene" -- it's a great base for a great painting.

When I paint, I approach every subject in the same way -- breaking it down into abstract shapes of lights and darks. I'm not afraid of anything -- perhaps because I started in painting with the most challenging subjects (portraits and figures). This fearless approach is part of what I teach.

I'm teaching a Portrait and Figure Painting Workshop August 14, 15, and 16. There's still room for a few more students. Contact me if you're interested in attending or sign up through the Great Falls Foundation for the Arts. My email is jillbanks1@aol.com.

So you know ... I am extremely proud of the work of all the students in class. They work hard (as I do and did) and are benefiting from each other's encouragement and my instruction.

Work in progress in oil by Nancy Keane. Copyright Nancy Keane 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Seeing Red" Daisies and Geranium Painting

Today after my still life class I worked on this piece ... from my summer class first-day demo. While 24 of my pieces are hanging at the Great Falls Library through August 31 as part of my "On the Bright Side" solo show, I need to pull together 3-4 pieces for an Invitational Still Life Show being held at Herndon ArtSpace August 4-30th. (I was invited.) Logistics get complicated.

I'm honored to be part of the ArtSpace exhibit. It's called Still Life Poetry and it features the work of Trisha Adams, Jill Banks (me), Vicki Blum, Petra Gerber, Robert Johnson (who just won the American Art Collectors Magazine Award of Excellence in Oil Painters of America National), Virginia Johnson, Tricia Ratliff, Patty Rice, Kurt Schwartz, Henry Wingate and Jordan Xu. I bet it will be an exceptional exhibit. I will be finishing "Seeing Red" (this one) and probably including "Peonies" (which I love) and maybe "Gelato Shop" or finishing "Sunflowers and Gladioli" as my third entry. We'll see. There are only so many days between entry for that show and today -- with a few balancing acts inbetween. Herndon ArtSpace is located at 750 Center Street,Herndon, VA 20170. Phone: 703-956-6590. The Opening Reception for the show is Saturday, August 8th, 7-9pm.

Plus, go see my exhibit at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Plus, visit my studio, 1144 Walker Road, Suites D&G, open Saturdays, noon -4pm, and the First Friday of every month, 7-9pm. See the logistical challenge?

I'm still working on and off on my multiple "Michelles". Check back later.

Nancy Keane, an artist and student in my still life class is working on an amazing painting in progress that I'll be posting in the next day or two. (It's really wonderful.) Check back.

Check back. The theme of the day today.

"Seeing Red" work in progress, oil on linen, 20"h x 20"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. See more of my still life work on my web site and throughout my blog. See the latest and older posts.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

Portrait Delivery and "On the Bright Side" Reception

This past Friday, the couple captured in this portrait saw it for the first time -- with an official unveiling in my studio. I've worked on it on and off in my studio for months, and I get the distinct feeling that they are my most famous sitters to date. Everyone who has seen it instantly recognizes them and were excited to see this work in progress. The few who don't know them, love this painting anyway.

The portrait commission was a gift to them from another client of mine. (A pretty wonderful gift!) Edited out by the artist (me) was Victor's plaid shirt. This is what I love about this portrait: the sense of relaxation and ease, the striking composition, and the light airiness of the environment. My famous couple were thrilled with it, too. Yea!

I made minor changes to it and framed it for them to pick up during my "On the Bright Side" reception this Saturday at the Great Falls Library. The exhibit is up until August 31 at 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA. Regular hours are Monday-Wednesday, 10am-8pm; Thursday & Friday, 10am-6pm; Saturdays, 10am-5pm; closed Sundays. If you haven't seen the show yet, I hope you'll stop in and consider purchasing a piece or two. I would be glad to give you a personal tour if you'd like. Contact me at jillbanks1@aol.com or 703.403.7435 if that's of interest. Sold so far are "Limoni", "L'Auberge Chez Francois", "The Duomo" and "The Gondolier." That means there's still a chance to purchase "Rainy Day Market", "Sunflowers II", and "Rooster and Geraniums," to name a few.

Last night and today I'm working on one of my two Michelle paintings. I guess that makes it no longer "alla prima" ... maybe "alla two time-a". Now, both son Sam and his girlfriend, Michelle are excited about it. Sam was smiling ear to ear.

I'll show you later my progress on "Michelle I". I'm really enjoying painting her. Part of it is the opportunity to spend time with her and part is painting the portrait from life.

The portrait shown is oil on linen, 20"h x 24"w, copyright Jill Banks 2009. Find out more information about commissioning a portrait on my web site: www.jillbanks.com. See portraits on my gallery page and info on the commissions page. Portraits take time, plus I have a very full schedule of already commissioned portraits I'm working on ... so if you're interested, meet with me and book now for 2010 delivery.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" Painting Day Four

More progress after two more days of work. I'll be moving on to a different painting today. "Sunflowers and Gladioli" will be tied ... in my head anyway ... to the great experiences related to my "On the Bright Side" exhibit at the Great Falls Library. The reception is tomorrow, Saturday, July 18, 3-6pm at 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066. That's more to celebrate. I'll bring this painting there along with my demo painting of Michelle.

I added a quarter to the top of the sculpture stand in my painting. That's homage to a Richard Schmid painting I saw and loved at the Salmagundi Club last month. While the subject appears to be the "Sunflowers and Gladioli" -- its really about my career at this point in time. Lots of "hidden" messages in this one.

There was a nice write-up in this week's Great Falls Connection about last week's demo on page 4. You can download a pdf of the print version at www.connectionnewspapers.com, click on print version, click on Great Falls.

Maybe I'll see you tomorrow!

Jill

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"h, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" Painting Day Two

After Still Life Class today (I teach through the Great Falls Foundation of the Arts), I continued to work on my "Sunflowers and Gladioli" painting. This is a large painting so it's keeping me busy just to address all of the canvas surface. Lots of paint, too.

So, here's your view of painting day 2. You'll see it again soon.

I set it up on the easel in the downstairs studio/gallery window. It looks great!

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"h, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" Painting in Progress

My Dad created two beautiful flower arrangements for my painting demo day this past Saturday (as part of my "On the Bright Side" show) ... and this one of sunflowers and gladioli might just be my all-time favorite. I hated to see its beauty go to waste, i.e., remain unpainted. So, I went to work today getting as far as I could while there still was daylight. I have it set up in my downstairs studio at the Atelier, and will work on it again after my Still Life class tomorrow.

My plan for this week is to finish this and work a bit more on the two Michelles from my demo. Saturday's my reception, July 18, 3-6pm at the Great Falls Library, 9830 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls. I hope to see you there.

I didn't really tell you that much about my demo. I felt so good about that day that I don't think I've come down from the clouds since. What I loved about it is how wonderfully people react to my art. The room was overflowing with enthusiasm and good cheer. The "On the Bright Side" exhibit seems aptly named. I'm thankful to have so many enthusiastic supporters -- my parents, students, collectors, fellow artists, family and friends. I love creating art, and my enjoyment increases exponentially through the joy it brings to others, too.

"Sunflowers and Gladioli" work in progress, oil on linen, 30"h x 24"h, copyright Jill Banks 2009.

Web: www.jillbanks.com
Blog: jillbanks.blogspot.com
Email: jillbanks1@aol.com
Phone: 703.403.7435